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I've always wondered why dollar bills are not accepted on buses. Is there a reason for this other than the inability of fare boxes/drivers to make change. I'm curious because almost every other city, I've been on buses in accepts dollar bills.

Before the system used metrocards, you could pay with tokens, buses accepted dollar bills. When the system converted to metrocards, the slot used for the dollar bills was converted to accept metrocards. I guess they couldn't make another slot for bills as well!

You couldn't use bills for a while, and I don't think they ever had a mechanism to count the bills before hand, the bus driver back then would just confirm the bill. Additionally he couldn't give change.

What the city wants to do however is get rid of the metrocard and replace it with that tap to go debit card service and metrocards designed to use that system. I wouldn't be suprised it they took out coins on buses. Something I'd wish they do is install bus shelters at every bus stop and then put up a mini metrocard vending machine in the shelter. It just seems like something that should have been done already.

Actually the vacuum used to suck the coins out of the fare collection box would destroy dollar bills, hence they're not accepted. See this picture (http://www.mta.info/mta/dailypics/NYCT-Bus%20Vacuum.jpg - broken link) if you think I'm lying

You couldn't use bills for a while, and I don't think they ever had a mechanism to count the bills before hand, the bus driver back then would just confirm the bill. Additionally he couldn't give change.

What the city wants to do however is get rid of the metrocard and replace it with that tap to go debit card service and metrocards designed to use that system. I wouldn't be suprised it they took out coins on buses. Something I'd wish they do is install bus shelters at every bus stop and then put up a mini metrocard vending machine in the shelter. It just seems like something that should have been done already.

A debit-based MetroCard system actually sounds like a frakking awesome idea... I think it's extremely practical, and would work very well. I hope it passes.

Because it is easier to rod you with a metrocard than it is with cash....the driver could see you put in the money and give you a pass but a with a stupid metro if it says you have no money then you have no money...no matter what you say

Its just a fact, the MTA want people to use MetroCards.....its the same reason why you can't get a transfer from Subway to bus unless with a metrocard....

I prefer the MetroCard to Cash....Do have to worry about looking for change, now with fare not being an even 2$ makes it harder if you have to pay with cash....

I just put 50$ at a time on my MetroCard and Go.......I really wish they made refilling of MetroCards available Online, so that we didnt need to stand inline at the damn machines.....Also being able to refill the Unlimiteds would be nice as well.

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